Global

What is Kaposi sarcoma? Kaposi sarcoma is a rare cancer that gained widespread attention during the early days of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency (HIV/AIDS) infections. Since then, innovative medical research and treatment significantly reduced the number of Kaposi sarcoma cases. People with weakened immune systems are susceptible to Kaposi sarcoma. That said, people only … Read more

Definition of Brain Death Brain death is a clinical and legal definition of death. Sometimes, when a person is declared brain dead, their heart may still be still beating and their chest may rise and fall with every breath from the ventilator. The skin might be warm and a person who is brain dead may … Read more

Description Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when carbon monoxide builds up in your bloodstream. When too much carbon monoxide is in the air, your body replaces the oxygen in your red blood cells with carbon monoxide. This can lead to serious tissue damage, or even death. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced by … Read more

What is Ocular Migraine? Ocular migraine is a painless, temporary visual disturbance that can affect one or both eyes. Though they can be frightening, ocular migraines typically are harmless and self-resolve without medication within 20 to 30 minutes. If an ocular migraine-like vision disturbance is followed by a throbbing, usually one-sided headache, this is called … Read more

Definition Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is when there is inflammation, or swelling, in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and a lifelong immune response. The disease causes the body and immune system to think that food, bacteria and other needed things in the intestine are not supposed to be there. With this, the body attacks the … Read more

Definition Osteoarthritis (also known as OA) is a common joint disease that most often affects middle-age to elderly people. It is commonly referred to as “wear and tear” of the joints, but we now know that OA is a disease of the entire joint, involving the cartilage, joint lining, ligaments, and bone. Although it is … Read more

What is Eastern Equine Encephalitis? Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a viral illness that can cause inflammation of the brain. Certain birds are reservoirs for this virus; mosquitoes that feed on these birds can carry the virus to people and other animals. Similar to West Nile Virus and St. Louis Encephalitis, a mosquito that bites an … Read more

Overview Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is an alteration in brain function, or other evidence of brain pathology, caused by an external force. It occurs when an external force impacts the brain, and often is caused by a blow, bump, jolt or penetrating wound to the head. However, not all blows or jolts to the head … Read more

What is Colorado Tick Fever? Colorado tick fever (CTF), also known as Mountain tick fever or American mountain fever, is a viral disease caused by infection with the Colorado tick fever virus (CTFV), a member of the Coltivirus genera. CTF is transmitted to humans most commonly by the bite of an infected adult wood tick, … Read more

Definition Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is when there is inflammation, or swelling, in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and a lifelong immune response. The disease causes the body and immune system to think that food, bacteria and other needed things in the intestine are not supposed to be there. With this, the body attacks the … Read more

Definition Anal fistula is an abnormal connection or tunnel between two areas in the anorectal region.  The most common cause of anal fistulas is from a blocked mucus gland at the anorectal junction. The gland then becomes inflamed, and in an effort to expel its infected contents, expresses itself, usually as an abscess. As with … Read more

What is called Food Allergy? Reaction to certain food components is called food allergy. It occurs when the cells of the immune system recognise a substance in food as harmful and try to destroy it. The substance which triggers an allergic reaction is called an allergen. The most common allergen in foods is proteins. Food … Read more

What is Hantavirus Infection? Hantavirus infection is a viral disease that is spread from rodents to people. The virus can cause severe infections of the lungs (with cough and shortness of breath) or kidneys (with abdominal pain, and sometimes kidney failure). Hantaviruses are a family of viruses spread mainly by rodents and can cause varied … Read more

What is toxic stress? Toxic stress refers to prolonged, traumatic life events that occur for an extended period of time in the child’s life without the protection of an adult. Examples can include abuse (physical, sexual, emotional), neglect (physical, emotional) and household dysfunction (parental mental illness, domestic violence, parental incarceration). In response to this prolonged … Read more

Overview Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body, usually in the legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling. Sometimes there are no noticeable symptoms. You can get DVT if you have certain medical conditions that affect how … Read more

Definition Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that infects the nose, throat, lungs, and breathing passages. RSV spreads through contact with respiratory droplets (coughing, sneezing, or kissing) from an infected person or touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. RSV can survive for many hours … Read more

Definition Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) develops from obstruction of venous drainage from the upper body, resulting in increased venous pressure, which leads to dilation of the collateral circulation. The superior vena cava is a large vein located in the upper chest, which collects blood from the head and arms and delivers it back to … Read more